Fourth Sunday in Lent

And he cautioned them, saying, "Watch out -- beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod." Mark 8:15

may the warmth
of your living waters
be just
what those the
world leaves out
in the cold
need.

may the saltiness
of your tears
bring
healing to
the wounds
of those
pierced by
hatred.

may the gentleness
of your touch
knead the sore
muscles
of those whose
backs are
stiffened by
12-hour shifts
in oncology
units.
may the yeast
of your justice
enable us
to rise and
feed the
hungry outcasts
all around us.

(c) Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

Fourth Saturday in Lent

"Teach me to do your will,
   for you are my God.
Let your good spirit lead me
   on a level path." Psalm 143:10

i could
tail temptation
down the
blind alleys
of its
maze.
i could
follow the
pride piper
until
caught in
that trap
i would never
escape.
i could
let death
coach me
on every
wrinkle
in its
playbook.
or
i could let
you
guide me
into grace.

(c) Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

Fourth Friday in Lent

 "Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?"   Romans 6:3

baptized
with you,
we swim in the
warm waters of
joy, racing
you to see
who gets to
the far shore
first.
buried
with you,
we are planted
in grace's rich
soil,
nourished by
the Spirit so
we might stretch
toward glory's
morning.
united
with you,
we hold hands
with the rest
of your siblings,
crossing death's
busy road
into the
kingdom.

(c) Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

Fourth Thursday in Lent

"One thing I asked of the LORD,
that will I seek after:
to live in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to behold the beauty of the LORD,
and to inquire in his temple." Psalm 27:4

walking in the
fog, hoping
i will not
stumble
along the way.
lying in the
brightness
of the full
moon
shining through
the bedroom window.
watching the
mist slowly
drift along
the curving
surface
of the river.
turning over the
soil,
preparing it to
welcome the
seeds
brooding with
lettuce,
tomatoes,
flowers,
carrots.
sitting in the
silence
of the backyard,
as my thoughts
slowly
drift
towards you.
i find myself
finally
at home.

(c) Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman 

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

Third Wednesday in Lent

”But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

it is while we are tripping
over our foolish choices
that God picks us up.
it is while we are caught
in the riptide of fear
that God jumps in to save us.
it is while we are about
to be waltzed away in
sin’s seductive arms
that God cuts in.
it is while we are ready
to believe the fake news
offered to us by death
that God breaks in
with the Word of life
let’s stop trying
to turn it into rocket science.
it is simply love,
and that is more
than enough.

© 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

Third Tuesday in Lent

“As the scripture has said, 'Out of the believer's heart shall flow rivers of living water.'" John 7:38

when we are tempted
to caulk all the cracks
in our hearts so that
nothing might leak out.
when we turn the faucets
tighter and tighter until
there is only a drip
every few hours.
when we go online
to figure out how to
reroute the pipes so
it just flows in a continual
circle.
when we fill our tubs
and every available pot
because someone warns
that pollution might be a danger,
remind us
of all those as parched
for the waters which
offer life
as we once were.

(c) 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

Third Monday in Lent

“Stand in the gate of the LORD’s house, and proclaim there this word, and say, Hear the word of the LORD, all you people of Judah, you that enter these gates to worship the LORD. Jeremiah 7:2

with you, Lord,
let us stand in
the halls of power,
declaring that justice
remains the right
of every person and
truth will not be filibustered
out of our society
with you, Lord,
let us stand at
the entrances of schools,
welcoming each child
for who they are
as your precious children,
teaching them of the rich
variety of cultures, of histories,
of traditions which make
us a community for all.
with you, Lord,
let us stand with
all of whom the haters
and the mockers write
words which would declare
them to be less than equal,
to have no standing or value,
to be persona non grata
because they declare to be
empathetic, welcoming, gracious.
with you, Lord,

let us stand.

(c) 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman